International Basic Brunch: Fable Kitchen

I know what you're thinking. "She was in Vancouver two months ago. Why is she just now posting about this?" Well, the answer is, I was waiting on the pictures that were not mine. I just got them this week. So I can finally write about my International Basic Brunch and hope I remember everything.

Let me introduce you to Fable Kitchen. Fable is a Farm-to-Table (get it?) restaurant opened by Trevor Bird, a former contestant on Top Chef Canada. Everything, and I do mean everything, is made from scratch in this restaurant. To be fair, Canada takes more pride in the quality and preparation of their food so most places are from scratch or farm to table. Every place is delicious. Eat in Vancouver. But back to the point, Fable has an open air kitchen located right at the front of the restaurant. Right when you walk in you're practically in the kitchen. Get your apron and help expedite some food.

The Sunday we went to Fable was for International Basic Brunch. It was written into the game plan once Basic Brunches became a thing. Also, brunch. Duh.

Brunch because mimosas

The food here seems simple, but in that simplicity it is very confusing. I got the scrambled eggs. Or so I thought.

Do you see the eggs? No? That's because they are snuggled all comfy like in that little jar. Do you need a closer look?

See... eggs. More than just eggs too. The eggs themselves also have sauteed spinach and bacon and parmesan cream. Yep. You read that right. Parmesan CREAM! I would have purchased a can of that delectable cream and take it home and put that shit on everything!! All the things. It also came with toast and homemade jam, and a potato hash-brown/square with whatever that cream spread was. Eaten, but not shown, was the side of bacon. But when I say "side of bacon" I actually mean the 1/2" thick SLAB of pure pork belly that came with an apple puree. Because if bacon isn't good enough as is, let's make it bigger and add puree with it.

Here's an aerial view 

Everything about my dish was amazing. Actually, having to relive this meal while I write this makes me want to go back and eat it again. 

Mindee and Adriana both got the French Toast. Oh sorry, I mean they each got a half loaf of bread that was made into french toast. 

Not even exaggerating. It was half the size of the plate and 3 inches high. And it's topped with mascarpone, because more cheese, and candied walnuts. Adriana also tacked on a side of house made sausage that came with a black pepper jam (which is shown but in the background). 

International Basic Brunch was a huge success. Here is something I mentioned before though about Canadian Brunches... they fill up ridiculously fast. Two places I called that morning basically laughed at me when I asked about getting in. Fable told me if I got there when they opened I could probably get in with no wait. We did. We got there within 5 minutes of them opening and were seated immediately. What you can't tell is the restaurant is very small.. sorry "cozy".  Before we even ordered our food they had no more tables left. Another thing is no one in Canada will rush you. At all. No one will make you feel like you need to leave so they can get a new table in. So eating practically anywhere will take you two hours. WILL TAKE YOU TWO HOURS. If you are sitting at a table and it's not McDonald's you will be there for a long time. Did I stress that enough? Eating is meant to be a time to relax and talk with your friends and enjoy your food. The way food deserves to be enjoyed and the way we should always enjoy it. 

Attempted Athleticism and Sweatpant Brunch

This last Saturday my friend Megan and I partook in The Color Run. In case you don't know what that is I shall explain, The Color Run is a 5k (3.1 mile) run where, throughout the run, volunteers chuck powered paint at you. I did a color run a couple years ago for the first time, this was my second time.... I don't claim to be a runner. I'm guess you could call me a periodic runner, meaning I run when I randomly get motivation. Megan is not a runner. Period.

Look at me all ready and prepared for this 5k

Throw some glitter... make it rain!

If you've never done a 5k before I recommend you do one, they can get a little expensive but it's for charity. I like the ones that are either incredibly entertaining while you run or have an awesome swag bag, (The Hot Chocolate 5k for example has a comfortable and cute fleece hoodie and the most delicious chocolate fondue at the end). The Color Run is one of my personal favorites because it speaks to the starving artist/photographer in me. The best thing about most 5ks like this is it doesn't matter your level of athleticism, literally everyone participates. If you're a runner you stay to the left, if you want to walk you stay to the right, and if you do interval training like me you run wherever you damn please because rules don't apply to you!

We had a blast! One of the best things about this run was I could tell from the first time I ever ran one to this time my endurance and abilities have improved, so that was great motivation. Makes you feel good about yourself and all the work you put into working out and running might just be paying off. Since Megan isn't much of a runner at all we walked most of this 5k, but I got her to jog every now and then and I was so proud of her. Here we are with our medals.

Shiny medals.

After the run Megan and I knew we wanted to eat brunch but weren't sure how we felt about going covered in powdered paint and glitter. I suggested we don't care and go anyways, she wasn't feeling that, so we went with "Sweatpant Brunch."

Sweatpant Brunch is when you make food at home and drink mimosas. It's significantly cheaper than real brunch, you control the menu and there is no such thing as drunk driving because you are already home. Additionally, you wear whatever you want. So hello sweatpants. Or no pants. Really you do sweatpant brunch however you want to do it. No judgement here.

Sweet, sweet mimosa. I earned you today

I made my famous banana-chocolate chip muffins, scrambled eggs with spinach and pico de gallo, and bacon. Oh wait, and obviously mimosa. We did peach mimosa because peach juice is 10x better than orange juice, If you've never tried it I suggest you do it and do it soon. Actually go ahead and try that now. You'll thank me.

 

Look at that kick-ass, homemade, from scratch brunch. 

My banana-chocolate chip muffins are super easy to make:

This recipe will yield 12 regular sized muffins (one pan)

• 1 3/4 cups flour
• 3/4 cups sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt (plain is a suggestion, I honestly use vanilla. Greek or Regular)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 mashed ripe banana
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (I just put chips in until I am satisfied that I've thoroughly nullified any nutritional value) 

1. Pre-heat oven to 350
2. Combine wet ingredients (egg, yogurt, oil, vanilla extract)
3. Combine dry ingredients into wet (flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt)
4. Add in banana and combine some more
5. Add in whatever about of chocolate chips you deem reasonable. 
6. Bake for 20-25 mins. (Remember, ovens vary, I usually bake mine for 23)
7. Let cool and then enjoy!

First time I ever made these muffins they were completely gone in 2 days. So that says something. 

Yum yum get in my tum!

Obviously you don't need to add chocolate chips if you don't want. You could substitute them with nuts, heath bar, probably blueberries but I've never tried it. I will always add chocolate chips because chocolate.

Obviously after a 5k and sweatpant brunch it was nap time. #NoRegrets.

So let's recap:

1. Do a 5k because it's for charity and you'll feel good about yourself once you're finished.
2. Do a sweatpant brunch once in a while because they're comfortable and cheap
3. Make my muffins. 
4. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram! 

Check you later my basic brunchers!